Grant & Karaka re-sign with Pulse for 2017

Silver Fern defenders Katrina Grant and Phoenix Karaka will be returning to the Central Pulse for next year’s inaugural ANZ Netball Elite League.

The popular Grant, who was recently elevated to the Silver Ferns captaincy, has been a regular with the Pulse since 2010 while Karaka made the move to the Capital this year after three seasons with the Southern Steel.

Offering complimentary skill sets, the defensive pair were key signings for the Pulse as they look to build on season 2016.

With over 100 ANZ Championship matches under her belt and 81 Test Caps, the experienced Grant, 29, has built an impressive resume while the athletic Karaka, 22, has all the hallmarks of continuing her development into a quality all-round defender.

""In the end it was an easy decision to stay with the Pulse,"" Grant said. ""I’ve spent a large chunk of my career here now and I’m excited by the concept of the new league, building a great team environment and getting another opportunity to create a strong defensive partnership with Phoenix.”

Athletic, mobile and strong in the air, the pair can interchange the in-circle defensive positions seamlessly, Karaka also swayed by the opportunity to play alongside Grant again while reacquainting with new coach Yvette McCausland-Durie.

""I really want to develop that connection with Katrina that I know we have but that just wasn't consistent enough this season,"" Karaka said.

The Pulse now has eight confirmed signings for 2017: Sheridan Bignall, Karin Burger, Ameliaranne Ekenasio, Katrina Grant, Phoenix Karaka, Claire Kersten, Whitney Souness, Cathrine Tuivaiti.